Hearing Aid advice

QRTRHRS · May 17, 2015

Thought I would bring this thread back to the top to ask a question about batteries. Following this thread, I assume most are using the 312's? My audiologist sells Ray-O-Vac. Using that brand, I get the usual week before I need to replace. I had not been able to catch the shop when they were open so I stopped at another that carries Siemans.

With the warmer weather, I may not put my aids in at all or I may take them out for a few hours, etc. while mowing or doing some other chore where I don't want to damage the aids or my ears, etc.

I think I still get about a week before they die. My aids beep when the battery is low. It seems when the Siemans die, I am lucky to get a beep or two and that's it, gone.

MinnesotaEric · May 17, 2015

I purchase copper top 312s in bulk through Amazon for my mother's hearing aids.

Amazon.com: Duracell Hearing Aid Batteries Size 312 pack 60 batteries: Electronics

Bird · May 17, 2015

My last set of hearing aids used the 312 size batteries and beeped when a battery was going. But like QRTRHRS said, when it beeped it was dead almost immediately. The ones I have now use size 13 batteries and when one is low, it will beep a couple of times, once every 5 minutes for at least an hour before going dead. And instead of a week, I get 10 to 12 days on batteries now. I used Ray-O-Vac batteries for many years, but now I use Beltone batteries that I get from my Beltone dealer; don't know who makes them for Beltone (might be Ray-O-Vac) but the cards are labelled "Made in USA".

radioman · May 17, 2015

Well since ha batteries are now zinc and use air, one you pop the tab off, batteries starts to go to end of life regardless you use it or not. Also, if you go outside alot with ha you need to start opening the battery door to air out the moisture and put ha in a box with air drier packets.

Bird · May 17, 2015

radioman said:
Well since ha batteries are now zinc and use air, one you pop the tab off, batteries starts to go to end of life regardless you use it or not. Also, if you go outside alot with ha you need to start opening the battery door to air out the moisture and put ha in a box with air drier packets.

I wear my hearing aids all day, every day, take them out when I'm getting ready to go to bed at night. I wipe the exterior with a facial tissue, open the battery door, and leave them lying on a terry cloth pad on my desk. The next morning, I close the battery door, and brush them with a toothbrush I have on the desk for that purpose before putting them back in my ears. I haven't used the air drier packets myself, but would think that's a good idea.

pacerron · May 17, 2015

radioman is right. Once the tape comes off the batteries will discharge regardless of use. I have 13's and they last about 1.5 to 2 weeks in the winter when they are in/on from 6 A.m. to midnight everyday. In the summer I'm outdoors doing tractor work a lot more so they are used about half the time, but don't last any longer.
I use the little individually wrapped alcohol wipes to get the earwax and bacteria off the silicone ear molds and wipe the grease off the Behind the ear units. A Q-tip with a little alcohol is good to swab out the battery compartment when changing the batteries. I leave the battery doors open at night to dry and also because I can't hear the squeal if I happen to not get them turned off. Canned air like we use to blow out our computer dust, works good if wax gets too far up in the tube. I just unscrew them and blow air out the ear end. It also works well if too much moisture accumulates in the tubes.
Ron

BKBrown · May 17, 2015

My wife has a hearing loss and an aid - she uses a dryer from Dry & Store :: Better Hearing through Better Hearing Aid Care. and it dries the aid over night. The battery is left outside the dryer and the aid is open in the unit. :thumbsup:

BKBrown · May 17, 2015

Dry & Store :: Better Hearing through Better Hearing Aid Care. works great ! :thumbsup:

I did not think the first post made it - got a window that said internal server error - forgive the double post.

txdon · May 17, 2015

Automatic Hearing Aid UV-C Disinfecting and Cleaning System | Wayfair

This is the dryer I have. Costco sells it in their hearing aid dept. Seems like it was less.

My batteries last a week + or - a day depending on noise and use. I use Costco brand (Kirkland signature size 312) pack of 40 - $8.99

They will dong about every 10 minutes when low but continue to be useful for about 4 hours. I put the hearing aids (with the batteries) in the dryer above after each use.

The notes on back of the battery pack say they will drain more in a noisy environment and when you have your hearing aids are turned all the way up.
It also says moisture is harmful to the batteries and using a hearing aid dryer daily to reduce moisture is highly recommended.

How often does everyone change out the filters? I change mine out every week with the battery.

QRTRHRS · May 17, 2015

pacerron said:
radioman is right. Once the tape comes off the batteries will discharge regardless of use. I have 13's and they last about 1.5 to 2 weeks in the winter when they are in/on from 6 A.m. to midnight everyday. In the summer I'm outdoors doing tractor work a lot more so they are used about half the time, but don't last any longer.
I use the little individually wrapped alcohol wipes to get the earwax and bacteria off the silicone ear molds and wipe the grease off the Behind the ear units. A Q-tip with a little alcohol is good to swab out the battery compartment when changing the batteries. I leave the battery doors open at night to dry and also because I can't hear the squeal if I happen to not get them turned off. Canned air like we use to blow out our computer dust, works good if wax gets too far up in the tube. I just unscrew them and blow air out the ear end. It also works well if too much moisture accumulates in the tubes.
Ron

My audiologist told me that a Rayovac factory rep explained to her that these batterys will actually regen if used more as opposed to less. So, if you put them in at say 6 or 7 or 8am and don't take them out until late at night that you would get longer life than if you took them out during the day for a time.

That would be my useage especially in the summer. If I have say a five minute drill job, I may mute them and put my headphones on which cover my aids and ears just fine then I go with that. If I am going to be mowing a few hours or so then I take them out.

I use the dry box with replaceable moisture "bricks" daily. I open the battery compartment but leave the batteries in the slots.

The Siemans which are rated 1.45V same as the Rayovac seem to last about the same. As someone else said, there is little or no warning then nothing. Seems like the Ray-O-Vac gave me a good hour of warnings. No big deal except my morning and evening school bus run takes about an hour and a half each way. I don't like the feeling when I go from sterio to mono while driving and I don't care to take the time along the road to replace the batteries which need to activate.

The Siemans package also states 180mAh but the Rayovac does not state a similar rating. Beyond all that, my audiologist gets about 45 bucks for 48 Rayovacs. The shop I just happened to stop at charged me 33 bucks for 60 Siemans. For that difference, I guess I can live with the sudden drop off, lol!

txdon · May 17, 2015

I was reading on another forum that the Costco's Kirkland batteries are actually Rayovac. They are rated at 1.45 Volt - I cannot find a mAh on them. $13.50 for 60 batteries.

pacerron · May 18, 2015

How many of you bother to leave your batteries untaped and exposed to the air for a minute before inserting in the aids?

I never have, but will try it, after reading this article, which answers most of the questions on here..

Rayovac Hearing Aid Batteries ? Important Things to Know to Ensure Ann Rule Kevin Kouba Batteries 12293

Bird · May 18, 2015

Thanks for an interesting link. I, too, have never waited a minute before inserting the batteries.

QRTRHRS · May 18, 2015

I have always waited at least five minutes but no more than about fifteen after pulling the tape off. Never tried insterting them immediately.

That is a good link but I think I will have to read it when I have more time.

$13.50 for 60 batteries! Ouch! That hurts compared to what I have been paying.

oldpilgrim · May 18, 2015

I always pull the battery off the stickie holder and put them in the unit. Never had an issue, always run 7-10 days.

jix · May 18, 2015

I use only Ray O Vac exclusively, because out Vet care pays for them. I always take them out of the aid at night, but leave them in the little door of the battery compartment, in a UV dryer by my bed which holds my aides.
BTW, my dog will instantly bite and crush m aides if he gets at them, because of my scent on them, or because they will squeal if one falls out of my ear while I take a nap in my recliner after lunch. He has eaten two sets now.
My batteries never last more than 4 days, I dunno why, but my audiologist has them back to the factory to see if they know why, without answer.

My guess is that they are set pretty high on the volume and use more power that way. They are Starkey RIC BTE aids that use 312 batteries. My Audiologist says that they are middle of the line model. The DVA will not spring for more expensive TOL models. Mine would cost me three grand a pair if I bought them, so THW buying the TOL for myself... My pocket is not that deep these days.
JIX

QRTRHRS · Jul 6, 2015

Thought I would revive this informative post with one more question rather than to start a new post. What are everyone's thoughts on extended insurance policies for your hearing aids? Now that mine are one year old, I can buy an extended warrenty but the cost has me thinking extended car warrenty, etc., etc.

Here is my dilemma. If memory serves (LOL), my audiologist told me a figure around 150. Turns out, she retired and sold the business. The new owner gave me a pamplet from a company called AGX I think it is. Anyway, if I read the liturature correctly, the cost would be 150/one year or 200/two years for one device as in double that for two aids. Plus, it does not cover accidental damage.

truckdiagnostics · Jul 7, 2015

Have had mine for a year no issues. My parents have had both there's for ever, so on that small sampling save your money. Replacement cost is almost $4,000, so at 400 for two years they aren't just failing. If they are not warrantied for accidental...can't see the insurance as being worth it.

Bird · Jul 7, 2015

I got a 2 yr. warranty on mine when I bought them, and of course that's long past. If a Beltone has a problem, there's a flat rate for repair; $200 the last I knew, but may have gone up by now.